7 August 2022 Hibs 1 Hearts 1

 

The first Edinburgh derby of the season today. With a kickoff at 12.00 for live Sky coverage I left home at 10.30 to walk to Easter Road. I walked down through the Grassmarket, Cowgate and Abbeyhill to the top of Easter Road. I met another ex-work colleague and walked to the ground chatttibg about the forthcoming match. Unturned out we were both in the same area of the stand although a few seats apart. Surprisingly for a change the stewards were not searching everyone ion entry and we got into the ground easily with our tickets being electronically, scanned. Hibs are no longer isssuing programmes which they say were making losses while I think most Hibs fans have difficulty understanding words with more than four letters. I took my seat in row MM of the stand although ended up standing to watch the match as everyone in the rows in front of me was standing. 

Hearts made a couple of changes from last weeks match with Michael Smith moving back to right back to replace Nate Atkinson while Toby Sibbick also dropped out of the defence to allow Liam Boyce return upfront alongside Lawrence Shankland. Hearts switched from their normal 3-4-3 formation to 4-3-3 as a consequence of the changes. Hibs had resigned winger Martin Boyle who they sold to Saudi Arabian side Al Faisaly FC in January. The club were relegated at the end of th3 Saudi and Boyle has now returned to His. As he has not played recently he started on the bench today. New Hibs manager Lee Johnson has made a number of new signings and his side are still getting to know each other although they did win against St Johnstone in Perth last weekend. Hibs had still however a number of players out injured including Lewis Stevenson, Paul Hanlon and Kevin Nisbet. 

Hibs probably started off the stronger side but good defending from Craig Halkett and Kyle Rowles kept them at bay. Hearts scored in their first real attacking movement after twenty three minutes. Barrie McKay sent a pass over the top of the Hibs defence for Shankland. The striker controlled the ball and ran into the penalty box before sipping the ball though keeper David Marshall’s legs to give Hearts the lead. Hibs attempted to get back on level terms but Craig Gordon made an excellent save to turn away a header from Ali Yuan. Hearts however held out to halftime with little threat to their goal.

Hearts started the second half well and McKay should have put them further ahead in the first couple of minutes. The winger ran clear onto a through ball but his shot was blocked by Marshall’s led. The rebound fell to Shankland but again Marshall blocked the shot. Thereafter there were not a lot of chances for either side. Halkett and Rowles were excellent for Hearts in central defence and blocked or intercepted all if Hibs attempts of goal. On the right Smith was having a bit of a nightmare being caught of position allowing Hibs to move forward. Hearts made changes and switched to 3-4-3 with Sibibick coming into the back three and Atkinson replacing Smith at wingback. I was a bit surprised when both Andy Halliday and Cammy Devlin came on for Hearts replacing Forrrest and Haring. Both are good players but predominately defensive and Hearts needed a second goal. Unfortunately the second goal came from Hibs. Yuangot to the byeline and cut the ball back across goal. Substitute Boyle reached the ball first to score from six yards out. That was the last kick of the game although the referee player six rather than the signalled five minutes.

After the game I walked out to Lawrie Reilly way then along to Meadowbank. I caught a 26 there to Atholl Crescent. From there I walked home to settle down and watch West Ham v Manchester City  city which was an awful game and made me glad I was watching Hibs v Hearts. 

Teams

Hibs: Marshall, Cadden, Porteous, Bushiri, Cabraja, Kenneh, Newell, Melkersen, Campbell, Henderson, Youan.

Subs:: Doyle-Hayes Doidge, Boyle

Hearts: Gordon, Smith, Rowles, Halkett, Cochrane, Haring, Grant, McKay, Forrest, Boyce, Shankland 

Subs: Atkinson, Devlin, Sibbick, Halliday,